Search Results (5,842)

Nowadays, waste that can be used for environmental purposes, such as WBA (woody biomass ash), is particularly important. The presented research assessed the effect of soil application of WBA in conjunction with PFM (post-fermentation mass) on the stabilization of soil properties. WBA was applied in three increasing doses (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 HAC). PFM was applied as follows: ULF (unseparated liquid fraction), SSF (separated solid fraction), and SLF (separated liquid fraction). PFM doses were balanced with the amount of nitrogen introduced into the soil. The study was based on a pot experiment with maize. The applied doses of WBA had a highly significant and positive effect on the stabilization of basic soil properties. After WBA application, hydrolytic acidity decreased (by 30%), soil pH increased (by 1.83 units), total base cation increased (by 66%), available potassium (by 119%), phosphorus (by 44%), and magnesium content (by 38%) as well as electrolytic conductivity increased (by 11%). Furthermore, an increase in soil carbon content and an improvement in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio were noted. These observed results were further enhanced by the simultaneous application of WBA and the used PFM fractions, of which the liquid fractions (ULF and SLF) had the strongest effect. Full article

Phosphate tailings (PTs) are typical industrial byproducts that can rapidly neutralize soil acidity. However, their acid-neutralizing efficacy, long-term application optimization mechanisms, and high-yield regulation pathways for crops remain unclear. This study conducted a corn-potato crop rotation field trial on acidic soils, investigating the effect of different PT application rates (T: CK, 0 t·ha⁻¹; PTs-1, 6 t·ha⁻¹; PTs-2, 9 t·ha⁻¹; PTs-3, 15 t·ha⁻¹) in a multiple cropping system (C: late autumn potatoes (LAP)-early spring potatoes (ESP)-summer maize (SM)). The results showed that two consecutive applications of 9 t·ha⁻¹ of PTs produced optimal results, increasing the LAP yield by 12.82% and the soil quality by 76.51%, while improving the ESP soil quality by 46.21%. The higher yield was mainly attributed to a significant increase in the soil pH (0.72–1.58 units) and enhanced chemical and biological properties (higher exchangeable calcium (ExCa), exchangeable magnesium (ExMg), the total exchangeable salt base ion (TEB), and catalase (CAT) and urease (UE) content and lower soil exchangeable acidity (EA), exchangeable hydrogen ion (ExH), and exchangeable aluminum (ExAl) levels). Notably, a synchronized increase in the total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) during LAP cultivation, combined with simultaneous growth of TP, available nitrogen (AN), and available phosphorus (AP) during ESP cultivation, and a significant increase in TP and AP during SM cultivation, effectively promoted crop yield. Furthermore, continuous PT application significantly enriched phosphorus (P)-soluble functional bacteria, such as Actinomycetes and Chloroflexota, and enhanced the stability of bacterial-fungal cross-boundary networks. In summary, optimal acidity levels and favorable soil texture improved soil quality, consequently increasing corn and potato yields. This study reveals for the first time that PTs can substantially increase crop production via a synergistic mechanism involving acid-base balance, structural improvement, and microbial activation. Not only does this provide a novel strategy for rapidly improving acidic soils, but it also establishes a solid theoretical and technical foundation for utilizing PT resources. Full article

Tea plantations are one of the most intensive land-use systems in subtropical China, but the long-term effects on soil microbial functioning remain insufficiently understood. This study combined extracellular enzyme activity, ecoenzymatic stoichiometry, and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) to assess the impacts of forest-to-tea conversion and plantation age on microbial nutrient acquisition and metabolic limitations. The results showed that tea plantations had significantly higher activities of carbon (C)-, nitrogen (N)-, and phosphorus (P)-acquiring hydrolases compared to adjacent pine forests, and oxidase activity increased significantly with plantation age, reaching a fivefold higher level in the oldest plantation. Soil acidification, decreased soil organic carbon, and shifts in microbial composition (decline in bacteria and actinomycetes, increase in fungi) were the main drivers of these changes. The study indicates that tea planting intensifies microbial limitations on carbon and phosphorus and shifts microbial metabolism toward oxidative pathways, which may destabilize soil carbon pools and reduce long-term fertility. These findings highlight the importance of balanced nutrient management in tea plantation practices. However, the study is limited by the short duration of field sampling. Future research should focus on long-term monitoring to better understand the sustained impacts of tea cultivation on soil microbial functions and explore the role of different management practices in mitigating these effects. Full article

We determined the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total carbon (TC), and organic matter concentrations in sediments from surface water, waterways, ditches, swamps, and ponds of Baiyangdian Lake (BYDL), and investigated the spatial distribution, properties, and sources of the sediments. The TN, TP, TC, and OM concentrations in the sediments averaged 3677.21 ± 3686.15 mg/kg, 2038.25 ± 1190.87 mg/kg, 45,742.76 ± 29,535.23 mg/kg, and 12.05% ± 6.80%, respectively, and the concentrations were higher in the surface sediment (0–10 cm) than in the deeper sediment. We found that the TN and TP single evaluation indices at 0–10 cm averaged 5.61 and 2.18, respectively, indicating severe TN and TP pollution. The comprehensive pollution index averaged 4.80, and more than 87% of the sampling points were severely polluted. The organic and organic nitrogen (N) indices showed that 92.82% and 93.65% of the sites were polluted with organic matter and organic N, respectively. According to the C/N and C/P ratios, the organic matter and in the surface sediments was mainly from cellulose plant debris and phytoplankton. Of the correlations between the sediment properties, OM and TN were most strongly correlated, which indicates that the OM mineralization was closely related to the N source and migration. The findings of this study serve as crucial baseline data for the governance of BYDL, providing a vital data foundation for the systematic management of its water eco-environment. Full article

This study addressed the persistent limitation of discontinuous and labor-intensive compost monitoring procedures by developing and field-validating a low-cost sensor system for monitoring oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄) under tropical windrow conditions. In contrast to laboratory-restricted studies, this framework integrated rigorous calibration, multi-layer statistical validation, and process optimization into a unified, real-time adaptive design. Experimental validation was performed across three independent composting replicates to ensure reproducibility and account for environmental variability. Calibration using ISO-traceable gas standards generated linear correction models, confirming sensor accuracy within ±1.5% for O₂, ±304 ppm for CO₂, and ±1.3 ppm for CH₄. Expanded uncertainties (U₉₅) remained within acceptable limits for composting applications, reinforcing the precision and reproducibility of the calibration framework. Sensor reliability and agreement with reference instruments were statistically validated using analysis of variance (ANOVA), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland–Altman analysis. Validation against a reference multi-gas analyzer demonstrated laboratory-grade accuracy, with ICC values exceeding 0.97, ANOVA showing no significant phase-wise differences (p > 0.95), and Bland–Altman plots confirming near-zero bias and narrow agreement limits. Ecological interdependencies were also captured, with O₂ strongly anticorrelated to CO₂ (r = −0.967) and CH₄ moderately correlated with pH (r = 0.756), consistent with microbial respiration and methanogenic activities. Nutrient analyses indicated compost maturity, marked by increases in nitrogen (+31.7%), phosphorus (+87.7%), and potassium (+92.3%). Regression analysis revealed that ambient temperature explained 25.8% of CO₂ variability (slope = 520 ppm °C⁻¹, p = 0.021), whereas O₂ and CH₄ remained unaffected. Overall, these findings validate the developed sensors as accurate and resilient tools, enabling real-time adaptive intervention, advancing sustainable waste valorization, and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 13. Full article

The global demand for compost, produced through the bioconversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments, is increasing due to the adverse environmental, health, and economic impacts of synthetic fertilizers. Compost use offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative, improving soil fertility and long-term productivity. However, the potential of tobacco waste as a composting substrate remains insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing tobacco waste as a composting feedstock and to develop an optimized composting method. Tobacco waste (scrap leaves and midrib stems) was composted with cow manure in earthen pots to promote decomposition and nutrient mineralization, and its performance was compared with compost produced from cow manure and vegetable waste (vegetable leaves). Vermicomposting, which involves the addition of earthworms to conventional compost treatments, was also implemented to enhance composting efficiency and nutrient release. The final composts, both conventional and vermicompost, were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and the maturity duration. Among the three conventional compost variants, the mixture of cow manure and tobacco leaves had the highest nitrogen concentration at 1.45% and the cow manure and tobacco stems had 1.23% as the second best. Cow manure and tobacco stem compost had the highest K content of 1.13%, followed by tobacco leaves (0.99%). Sulfur levels were also found to be higher in the tobacco stem compost compared to the other compost types, with the highest value of 0.56%, followed by tobacco leaves (0.23%). All three vermicompost variants outperformed their conventional counterparts in terms of nutrient concentrations and achieved maturity in shorter durations. The cow manure with tobacco stem mixed vermicompost was notable for its elevated potassium (1.35%) and sulfur (0.89%) contents. The results indicate that vermicomposting offers a faster and more nutrient-enriched composting approach, particularly with tobacco waste. Incorporating tobacco waste into this process has the potential to produce high-quality compost, presenting a sustainable strategy for waste valorization and enhancing soil fertility. Full article

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires strict dietary management tailored to disease stage and individual needs. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced chatbot-based tools capable of generating dietary recommendations. However, their accuracy, personalization, and practical applicability in clinical nutrition remain largely unvalidated, particularly in non-Western settings. Methods: Simulated patient profiles representing each CKD stage were developed and used to prompt GPT-4 (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), and Copilot (Microsoft) with the same request for meal planning. AI-generated diets were evaluated by three physicians using a 5-point Likert scale across three criteria: personalization, consistency with guidelines, practicality, and availability. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and Dunn’s post hoc tests were performed to compare model performance. Nutritional analysis of four meal plans (Initial, GPT-4, Gemini, and Copilot) was conducted using both GPT-4 estimates and manual calculations validated against clinical dietary sources. Results: Scores for personalization and consistency were significantly higher for Gemini and GPT-4 compared with Copilot, with no significant differences between Gemini and GPT-4 (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Practicality showed marginal significance, with GPT-4 slightly outperforming Gemini (p = 0.0476). Nutritional component analysis revealed discrepancies between GPT-4’s internal estimations and manual values, with occasional deviations from clinical guidelines, most notably for sodium and potassium, and moderate overestimation for phosphorus. Conclusions: While AI chatbots show promise in delivering dietary guidance for CKD patients, with Gemini demonstrating the strongest performance, further development, clinical validation, and testing with real patient data are needed before AI-driven tools can be fully integrated into patient-centered CKD nutritional care. Full article

Fungal endophytes can be identified in a wide range of plant species which help to protect from both abiotic and biotic stressors. This research focused on using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) analysis to gain insight into the foliar endophytic fungal diversity between Morinda tinctoria and Pithecellobium dulce. The study obtained a total of 118,547 sequencing reads, which were grouped into 266 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) with a 97% similarity threshold. M. tinctoria had more OTUs than P. dulce. Alpha diversity results show that both plant species support varied microbial communities with similar but distinct biodiversity profiles. The Shannon index revealed that M. tinctoria had considerably more fungal diversity than P. dulce. The correlation matrix and PCoA depicts the pairwise correlations between several soil metrics such as the total nitrogen level, entire phosphorus, overall potassium, and the electrical conductivity, total carbon from organic matter, pH levels, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, and boron. The OTUs were classified into 5 phyla, 18 classes, 40 orders, 70 families, and 36 genera, where the phylum Ascomycota has a relative abundance of (50–55%), followed by Basidiomycota at (55–60%). The most abundant genera were Wallemia (30–35%), Saitozyma (30–40%), and Talaromyces (20–25%), with average relative abundances. Unassigned genera show a significant proportion of fungal taxa that are still taxonomically unclear. A comparative analysis has been performed between the two plants, M. tinctoria has a higher fungal diversity, which is frequently associated with increased ecological stability, disease resistance, and better functional relationships with the host plant. Full article

Understory vegetation plays a pivotal role in enhancing forest biodiversity, and its restoration is crucial for sustainable forest development, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. However, the dynamics of the biomass, diversity, and species composition of understory vegetation in plantations in south China, along with their key drivers, remain poorly understood. This study investigated four mature plantation types (Pinus massoniana, Pinus caribaea, Cunninghamia lanceolata, and mixed Chinese fir–broadleaf forests) in south China through plot surveys, environmental factor measurements, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the diversity, biomass allocation patterns, and driving mechanisms of understory vegetation. The results demonstrated the following. (1) The introduced Caribbean pine forests exhibited higher shrub biomass than native Masson pine forests, which was driven by their high canopy openness favoring light-demanding species (e.g., Melicope pteleifolia, IV = 33.93%), but their low mingling degree limited herb diversity. (2) Masson pine forests showed superior shrub diversity due to their random spatial distribution and higher soil total potassium (TK) content. (3) Mixed Chinese fir–broadleaf forests achieved 24.50–66.06% higher herb biomass compared to coniferous monocultures, supported by high mingling degree, random spatial configuration, and phosphorus-potassium-enriched soil, with concurrently improved herb diversity. SEM revealed that stand structure (DBH, density, mingling degree) directly drove shrub diversity by regulating light availability, while herb biomass was primarily governed by soil total phosphorus (TP) and pH. Canopy-induced light suppression negatively affected herb diversity. We recommend optimizing stand density and canopy structure through thinning and pruning to enhance light heterogeneity alongside supplementing slow-release P fertilizers in P-deficient stands. This study provides theoretical support for the multi-objective management of south China plantations, emphasizing the synergistic necessity of stand structure optimization and soil amendment. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in freshwater and may threaten aquatic ecosystem health. We surveyed surface waters of Shijiu Lake and its inflowing tributaries during the dry (January–March) and rainy (May–July) seasons of 2024. MP abundance ranged within 17.54–30.93 items/L, with higher values in the rainy than in the dry season (28.18 ± 6.03 vs. 24.53 ± 5.68 items/L; one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). Abundance correlated positively with turbidity (r = 0.44; R² = 0.20; p < 0.05), whereas associations with total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended solids were not significant (p > 0.05). Small particles (38–75 μm) dominated and were slightly more prevalent in the dry season, while the fraction of larger particles (>150 μm) was relatively higher in the rainy season. Granules predominated across sites, but their share decreased in the rainy season, accompanied by a notable increase in fibers. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated slight but spatially uneven pollution (PLI = 1.00–1.43), generally higher during the rainy season and consistently elevated at the lake center; the Nongkan River exhibited the lowest levels. Ecologically, the patterns indicate rainfall-driven inputs and hydrodynamic controls (runoff, resuspension, residence time), identifying the lake center and tributary interfaces as priority zones for monitoring and mitigation. These results provide lake-scale evidence to refine seasonal monitoring and inform source-reduction strategies in similar inland waters. Full article

Soil fungi play vital roles in the forest soil ecosystems through the nutrient cycle and organic substance decomposition, so the distribution of fungi at different altitudes has attracted increasing attention. However, their abundance, diversity, and community structure at different altitudes in temperate deciduous forests have rarely been studied. In this study, the fungal communities around two dominant trees (Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata and Carpinus turczaninowii Hance) in temperate deciduous forests at different altitudes (low altitude, medium altitude, high altitude) in the Taihang Mountains were identified via Illumina high-throughput sequencing according to the UNITE database. The soil chemical properties (soil pH value, soil available potassium, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, soil available phosphorus contents, soil total nitrogen, and carbon contents) were also measured. The results revealed that the dominant genera around the tree species were Russula, Tylopilus, Sebacina, Saitozyma, Mortierella, Amanita, and Descolea. The highest relative abundance of fungi occurred at the lowest altitude. The species richness index and diversity index of fungi around Carpinus turczaninowii at low altitudes were the highest. The soil pH, available potassium content, and alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen content played a crucial role in the composition and diversity of the fungal communities at different altitudes. Therefore, soil physicochemical properties were the important factors in forming fungi composition and diversity at different altitudes in the temperate forest. Full article

The use of sustainable and efficient practices is important for high crop yields. This study aimed to determine the effects of microorganisms and fertilizers on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberry cultivars in Cañete, Peru. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement, where the main plots were the fertilizer doses (0, 50, 100, and 150%) and the subplots were arranged in a factorial scheme of 2 × 4, with two strawberry varieties, three microorganisms (Azospirillum brasilense, Rhizophagus spp., and Trichoderma sp.), and the control. Growth variables included the number of leaves, crowns, and flowers; petiole length and diameter; foliar area; number of fruits; and yield. Nutrient concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were determined. For fruit quality, the variables of pH, Brix grade, and acidity were measured. The results indicated that the Sabrina cultivar had higher growth and yield (+15%). All fertilizer doses promoted yield and firmness, especially the 50% dose. All microorganisms promoted growth, yield (+60%), and fruit quality, demonstrating their importance in improving fruit production in this crop in Peru. Full article

Excessive nitrogen addition in farmland on the Loess Plateau reduces soil quality and endangers the atmospheric environment. We designed an experiment to investigate the effects of different nitrogen application rates on the soil physicochemical properties and microbial diversity of spring wheat fields on the Loess Plateau, aiming to identify the optimal nitrogen application rate and avoid the detrimental effects of excessive nitrogen addition. A field experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2023 with four nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 55, 110, and 220 kg·N·ha⁻¹·y⁻¹). This study aimed to assess the changes in soil properties, nutrient contents, enzyme activities, and bacterial community structure. The results showed that increasing N application generally enhanced soil bulk density, nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) (p < 0.05). In contrast, soil water content initially increased and then decreased. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen rose markedly with higher N inputs, particularly in the 0–20 cm layer, whereas total phosphorus was less affected. Nitrogen addition stimulated soil enzyme activities (protease, urease, nitrate reductase, and nitrite reductase), though excessive input (220 kg·N·ha⁻¹·y⁻¹) produced inhibitory effects. Actinobacteria (relative abundance: 29–35%) and Proteobacteria (relative abundance: 14–22%) were the dominant phyla in all treatments. Alpha diversity peaked at low nitrogen input (55 kg·N·ha⁻¹·y⁻¹), while high N level reduced evenness and species richness (p < 0.05). Principle Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed that both N application and soil depth shaped microbial community assembly, with deeper layers (20–40 cm) being more sensitive to N input. Correlation analysis indicated that soil moisture, bulk density, and C:N:P stoichiometry were key drivers of bacterial community variation. Overall, moderate nitrogen input (110 kg·N·ha⁻¹·y⁻¹) improved soil fertility and supported microbial functionality, whereas excessive application degraded soil structure and reduced biodiversity. These findings highlight the need for balanced N management strategies in rain-fed agriculture of the Loess Plateau to sustain both productivity and ecological stability. Full article

This study evaluated the performance and energy and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with a naturally fermented enzyme complex containing xylanase and phytase. This was evaluated using 300 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks in a randomized complete block design with five dietary treatments replicated 10 times with 6 chicks per replicate. The treatments consisted of a positive control (PC) group containing commercially recommended energy and nutrient levels, a negative control (NC) group with reduced metabolizable energy, calcium, and available phosphorus, and three levels of exogenous enzyme supplementation to the NC diet at 150, 200, 250 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of the trial, ileal digesta and excreta were collected for nutrient and energy digestibility and utilization determination, while tibia bones were collected for bone ash determination. The data was analyzed using Proc GLM of SAS 9.4 v 4. Enzyme supplementation quadratically increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency during days 9–21. There was also a linear increase (p < 0.01) between enzyme level and ADFI during days 0–21. Compared with birds fed the PC diet, chickens fed the NC diet had lower (p < 0.01) utilization of DM, N, Ca, P, and energy, as well as lower (p < 0.01) apparent ileal digestibility of essential and non-essential amino acids (AA). Enzyme supplementation level showed a quadratic relation (p < 0.01) with the utilization of DM, N, Ca, P, and AMEn, as well as with the apparent ileal digestibility of essential and non-essential AA. A quadratic relationship was also observed for apparent ileal digestibility of DM, N, P, and digestible energy, except for Ca, where the relationship was linear (p < 0.001). Bone breaking strength and bone ash quadratically correlated (p < 0.05) with the level of enzyme supplementation. The results from this study indicated that the supplementation of exogenous enzyme to a corn–soybean meal-based diet resulted in benefits to performance, nutrient digestibility and utilization, and bone mineralization of broiler chicks compared to birds on the NC diet. Full article

To resolve issues in the traditional agricultural production of the Ningxia irrigated area, where the sole pursuit of yield through extensive application of chemical nitrogen fertilizers has resulted in a deteriorated soil structure, reduced quality of anthropogenic-alluvial soil, and limited improvement in crop yield per unit area, a fixed-site experiment on substituting organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers was performed at the comprehensive experimental base of the NingXia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences during 2021–2024. Using conventional fertilization (N, P₂O₅, and K₂O application amounts of 450, 150, and 60 kg·ha⁻¹, respectively) as the control (CK), treatments of substituting organic fertilizers for 15% (T1), 30% (T2), 45% (T3), and 100% (T4) of chemical nitrogen fertilizers were used to analyze their effects on soil physical and chemical properties, as well as the maize yield in anthropogenic-alluvial soil. Substituting organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers increased the content of water-stable macroaggregates and the mean weight diameter (MWD) stability parameter in the soil. In 2024, the treatments of substituting organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers significantly increased MWD by 24.18–30.22% compared to the CK treatment. The soil’s available nitrogen content significantly decreased under the T4 treatment by 8.25–20.50% compared to CK treatment during 2021–2024. The organic matter (OM) content showed an increasing trend with the proportion of substitution of organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers; in 2024, the T3 and T4 treatments significantly increased OM by 5.98% and 6.60%, respectively, compared to CK. Furthermore, the available phosphorus and potassium contents also exhibited an increasing trend with the proportion of substitution of organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers. Based on the full dataset method, it was calculated that the T1 treatment consistently improved the soil quality index (SQI) during 2021–2024, with an increase of 9.31–18.29% compared to CK. The T1 treatment increased maize yield by 9.90% and 16.93% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, compared to CK. A random forest model identified the available nitrogen as the most critical physical and chemical indicator affecting SQI, followed by the available potassium. Linear fitting between the SQI and yield showed a highly significant positive correlation (R² = 0.6288, p < 0.01). Moreover, polynomial fitting of the proportion of substitution of organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers showed that SQI reached a maximum for a substitution proportion of 31.46%, while the maximum maize yield reached a proportion of 28.74%. Comprehensive analysis combining information and weight suggested an optimal proportion of substitution of organic fertilizers for chemical nitrogen fertilizers of 29.52%, achieving both an increase in SQI and maize yield in the anthropogenic-alluvial soil of the Ningxia irrigated area, while also achieving a rational utilization of organic fertilizer. Full article